The names of Neville Henry Cayley (1854–1903) and his son, Neville William
Cayley (1886–1950), have been associated with Australian birds for more than a
century. Both were expert illustrators of birds, and the father was part of a trend
in late 19th-century to take greater pride in all things Australian in the lead-up to
Federation. In 1931 the son, Neville William, published What Bird is That?,
possibly the most enduring bird guide of all time. Cayley & Son: The life and
art of Neville Henry Cayley & Neville William Cayley not only tells the stories
of the lives of these two artists, but also charts the changes in social history of
Australia and the changing attitudes to wildlife and conservation.
COFFEE TABLE
49
BIRD MEN
OF AUSTRALIA
Hanging, from left: Australian shelduck (Ta d o r n a t a r o n o i d e s ), wood duck (Chenonetta jubata). One the bench, from left: banded lapwing
(Va ne l lu s t ri col or ), painted snipe (Rostratula benghalensis), masked lapwing (Va n e ll us m il e s), Latham’s snipe (Gallinago hardwickii), eastern rosella
(Platycercus eximius), grey teal (Anas gracilis), Pacific black duck (Anas superciliosa), regent bowerbird (Sericulus chrysocephalus), stubble quail
(Coturnix pectoralis)